Before submitting proposals to the Star Chamber secretariat
You must consider whether the proposed data collection exercise is absolutely necessary.
Information should be collected only if it is absolutely essential for the purpose of policy development, implementation or evaluation. It should not be collected when sufficient information is already held by the Department or can be obtained from another source. You should not propose to collect data that is useful but not essential.
Seek advice from the Data Services Group (DSG)
During the formative stages of any proposal to collect data, the DSG can advise on a range of matters including on what information is already held by, or available to, the Department.
DSG can also advise on issues such as suitable collection mechanisms and sample sizes. Simon Grigor is the initial contact point for school and/ or LA data collections. Graham Knox will advise on children's services data collections. Roger Edwards can give advice if you intend the Department's Data Services Centre to carry out the collection itself.
Clarify how schools, LAs and children's services will benefit from the data collection exercise
For example, do you intend to share the results with them? If so, how can they use the results to help raise standards? If there is no benefit to LAs, schools and children's services, you will need to provide robust justification for the exercise on policy grounds.
Check the Department LA and schools data collection timetables
Simon Grigor can also advise you whether any other similar school data collection exercises are planned or due to take place. Andy Clarke should be contacted about children's services data collections. Any possible overlap or link should be considered, including whether you can use existing data or an existing exercise to inform your policy, rather than instigating a separate data collection exercise.
Existing exercises
You should annually:
Review the data that is being collected and consider whether you can reduce the burdens of the exercise, for example by cutting the amount of information required, reducing the sample size, making the form more user-friendly, making it electronic, or linking it to another existing exercise.
Where the collection exercise is led by DSG, e.g. the annual schools census, they will take the lead in consulting relevant policy colleagues. Where DSG does not lead the collection exercise, they should still be involved to ensure the Government's survey control requirements are complied with.
Contact details
Graham Knox
Data Services Group
Telephone: 01325 392470
Email: graham.knox@education.gsi.gov.uk
Roger Edwards
Data Services Group
Telephone: 01325 735499
Email: roger.edwards@education.gsi.gov.uk
Andy Clarke
Data Services Group
Telephone: 01325 392648
Email: andy.clarke@education.gsi.gov.uk
Simon Grigor
Data and Statistics Division
Sanctuary Buildings
London
SW1P 3BT
Email: simon.grigor@education.gsi.gov.uk
